Ag/LaCoO3 perovskite catalysts for soot combustion were prepared by the impregnation method.The structure and physicochemical properties of the catalysts were characterized using X-ray diffraction,N2 adsorption-desorption,H2 temperature-programmed reduction,soot temperatureprogrammed reduction,and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.The catalytic activity of the catalysts for soot oxidation was tested by temperature-programmed oxidation in air and in a NOx atmosphere.Metallic Ag particles were the main Ag species.Part of the Ag migrated from the surface to the lattice of the LaCoO3 perovskite,to form La（1-x）AgxCoO3.This increased the amount of oxygen vacancies in the perovskite structure during thermal treatment.Compared with unmodified LaCoO3,the maximum soot oxidation rate temperature（Tp） decreased by 50-70 ℃ in air when LaCoO3 was partially modified by Ag,depending on the thermal treatment temperature.The Tp of the Ag/LaCoO3catalyst calcined at 400℃ in a NOx atmosphere decreased to about 140℃,compared with that of LaCoO3.Ag particles and oxygen vacancies in the catalysts contributed to their high catalytic activity for soot oxidation.The stable catalytic activity of the Ag/LaCoO3 catalyst calcined at 700℃ in a NOx atmosphere was related to its stable structure.
